occurrence

[uh-kur-uhns, uh-kuhr-]

noun

1. the action, fact, or instance of occurring.

2. something that happens; event; incident.

   We were delayed by several unexpected occurrences.

   Synonyms: circumstance

occurrence

/ əˈkʌrəns /

noun

1. something that occurs; a happening; event

2. the act or an instance of occurring

   a crime of frequent occurrence

Other Word Forms

• occurrent adjective
• preoccurrence noun
• reoccurrence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of occurrence¹

1530–40; < Latin occurrent-, stem of occurrēns (present participle of occurrere “to run up to, run to meet”), from oc- (variant of ob- ; ob- ( def. ) ) + currere “to run” + -ence; compare Medieval Latin occurrentia

Synonym Study

See event.

Example Sentences

Earthquakes are a near-daily occurrence in the Philippines, which is situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

Read more on Barron's

Some fans threw paper aeroplanes on the pitch, an occurrence that has happened in recent years when England fans have been bored.

Read more on BBC

An Airbus manual from 2016—before the maintenance changes—cautioned that if not properly addressed, an aircraft would encounter “repeated occurrences.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Montanez said he couldn’t speak to whether this type of theft was a common occurrence within the city.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A poor diet can also weaken the immune system and, for many students, eating healthily isn't easy - especially when skipping meals is a regular occurrence.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• accident 
• circumstance 
• episode 
• existence 
• incidence 
• incident 
• instance 
• manifestation 
• situation